International Conference on Deep Foundations and Ground Improvement Urbanization and Infrastructure Development: Future Challenges June 5-8, 2018 | Rome, Italy Technical Sessions, Megaprojects and Keynotes The DFI-EFFC International Conference on Deep Foundations and Ground Improvement being held June 5-8, 2018, at Sapienza University in Rome, is planned to be an exciting, innovative and technically inspiring event. The Technical Program Committee has outlined a program that provides opportunities to learn about the newest foundation techniques, advances and projects. Workshops, panel discussions and megaproject presentations will be opportunities for attendees to contribute actively and con- structively to address international technical, contractual, quality and safety challenges. Technical sessions include keynote lectures on deep foundations technologies, design and modeling, ground improvement, project information management systems, and geotechnical and contractual practices. Special Technical Sessions – Workshop and Panel Discussions The following special technical sessions are being presented: • A panel discussion is being held to review the EFFC-DFI Tremie Concrete Guidelines (second version, first edition published 2016). The guide presents design considerations (concrete rheology, mix design, reinforcement detailing, concrete cover, etc.) and best practices for tremie concrete placement for drilled shafts and diaphragm walls that promote construction of high- quality elements. The panel discussion will highlight proposed changes to the methods used commonly to specify concrete mixes and the procedures to test them and highlight important considerations to minimize risk related to concrete workmanship and quality, and potential conflicts between specialty contractor, designer and supplier. • A session on the state of practice of continuous flight auger and drilled displacement piles in Europe, North America and New Zealand/Australia is being organized by members of DFI’s Augered Cast-in-Place Piles Committee. The session includes presentations and discussions on the background, evolution and current practices in the regions; standards and design methods used; and contractual vehicles, considerations and risk mitigation. • EFFC and DFI are presenting a joint workshop on safe working platforms. The topics include good practices for design and maintenance of safe working platforms, and a panel discussion on the allocation of responsibility for ensuring and maintaining a safe platform throughout the work. Megaprojects Client representatives are making presentations on the following upcoming or in progress megaprojects: • The Metro C Subway Line is a significant project in Italy to construct a new subway Line in a complex urban context. This tunneling project is complicated by the anticipated use of numerous foundation types (piles, micropiles, diaphragm walls and consolidation technologies as grouting, artificial ground freezing, compensation grouting) and discovery and protection of archaeological finds. Metro Line C will connect the east to the northwest quadrant of the city of Rome crossing under historic city districts. • The Grand Paris Express project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe. The project involves building approximately 200 km (124 mi) of new metro line and extending or newly constructing 72 stations. The expected project completion date is 2030. • The Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link is a 20 km (12 mi) long fixed rail and roadway link immersed tunnel crossing the Fehmarn Belt between Rødby and Puttgarten to join Denmark and Germany. The immersed tunnel (IMT) consisting of four tubes for traffic will be the longest and deepest tunnel of its type ever built. Fehrman Belt Fixed Link DEEP FOUNDATIONS • JAN/FEB 2018 • 23 I DFI ® O T N A S D I N N U S T O I F T U E P T E E D
